Free School Supplies and Back to School Programs in Clark County and Las Vegas
Families in Las Vegas and Clark County looking for free school supplies, backpacks, and clothing have more options than most people realize — from large community-wide drives serving tens of thousands of students to school-based programs that quietly run year-round. This page is a guide that will help residents find where to get free school supplies for their kids. Most seasonal giveaways happen mid-July through early August, ahead of the mid-August CCSD school start. Supplies go fast and some programs require pre-registration, so don't wait.
One note worth flagging upfront: Clark County has more than 15,000 students experiencing homelessness. Several programs on this page exist specifically for those students and operate year-round, not just in August. Those are clearly marked. Other year round clothing closets may give out items to qualified students as well, whether clothes, shoes or other supplies - see the free clothing closets in Clark County NV page.
The Biggest Annual Drives — Open to All Clark County Families
Communities In Schools of Nevada — Fill the Bus
Fill the Bus is the largest back-to-school supply drive in Southern Nevada and one of the most important programs on this page. Organized by Communities In Schools (CIS) of Nevada, the annual one-day drive brings the community together to donate supplies that stock resource rooms across more than 80 Title I and high-need CCSD schools. The drive often supports tens of thousands of students across the valley. While the date may change, the drive has historically been held on a Thursday in late July at two or three public drop-off locations including Sam's Club and NV Energy parking lots.
What makes CIS meaningful for families isn't just the drive — it's what happens year-round. CIS has staff and resource rooms embedded in more than 80 CCSD campuses. Those rooms are stocked with supplies, snacks, hygiene products, clothing, and shoes that students can access throughout the school year through school staff. Families whose children attend a Title I or high-need CCSD school should ask the school counselor or front office whether a CIS resource room is on campus. https://cisnevada.org/ — The Fill the Bus drive date and drop-off locations are announced each June; check their website or social media for current-year details.
Cox Back to School Fair
The Cox Back to School Fair is the longest-running back-to-school readiness event in Southern Nevada, held each summer at multiple shopping center locations across the valley over four consecutive weekends in July and August. Recent venues have included Downtown Summerlin, Meadows Mall, and Boulevard Mall. The event draws an average of 10,000 people per weekend and often features more than 30 community organizations and nonprofits, CCSD representatives available to answer questions on enrollment, zoning, and registration, and on-site immunization clinics through Smith's Pharmacy at select locations. A limited number of backpacks are distributed to students at each event while supplies last.
This is not a private application event — it is open and free to the public and is the best single-stop for families who need school readiness information alongside supplies. Locations and dates are announced each June and vary year to year; confirm the current schedule before attending.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation — Back-to-School Initiative
Each August, the LVMPD Foundation equips Metro officers with filled backpacks to distribute directly to students in need across the valley. In recent years the initiative has distributed 1,000 or more backpacks. Distribution is done through officers in the community rather than at a central event, so there is no registration process — backpacks reach families through neighborhood-level contact. Monitor LVMPD and LVMPD Foundation announcements in late July for current-year details.
School-Based and District Programs
Assisting Lives in Las Vegas — Our School Boutique
Formerly known as the Assistance League of Las Vegas, it continues its same mission serving Clark County students since 1976. Its signature program, Our School Boutique, works through a school referral model: CCSD counselors and administrators at Title I elementary and middle schools refer students in need, who then visit the boutique and select a week's worth of brand-new clothing, shoes, a jacket, underwear, socks, a hygiene kit, and school supplies. The program serves pre-K through 8th grade students. For older students, the organization also runs Hope High, which provides high school students experiencing homelessness with backpacks, clothing, fast food gift cards, and caps and gowns for graduation.
Families do not apply directly — access is through school staff. If you believe your child may qualify, ask the school counselor or front office to initiate a referral. The organization also operates AL's Closet, an emergency clothing resource available directly through school counselors for students with immediate needs. Address is 6446 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146; call (702) 870-2002 or see https://allv.org/.
CCSD Title I HOPE Advocates — McKinney-Vento Support
Every school in the Clark County School District has a designated Title I HOPE Advocate on campus. Under federal McKinney-Vento law, students experiencing housing instability — including those living doubled-up, in motels, shelters, or other temporary situations — are entitled to immediate enrollment, transportation support, and access to supplies. If your child is enrolled in a CCSD school and your family is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, ask the front office to connect you with the school's HOPE Advocate. This is a legal right and a year-round resource, not a seasonal event. contact is [email protected].
CCSD Family Support Center
The Clark County School District operates a Family Support Center at 1720 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89104; call (702) 799-0072. The center focuses particularly on newcomer and refugee students and their families — offering school registration assistance, orientation, English classes for adults, referrals to community services, and access to a no-cost community market with groceries and household items. Community partners onsite include Catholic Charities, Nevada Legal Services, and UNLV pediatric health services. While the FSC is not a school supply distribution point, it is an important referral hub for newly arrived families navigating the district. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are encouraged. Website is https://familysc.ccsd.net/.
Year-Round Programs for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Project 150
Project 150 is one of the most important organizations in Southern Nevada for homeless, displaced, and disadvantaged high school students — and it operates year-round, not just during back-to-school season. Founded in 2011 after founders learned of 150 homeless students at a single Las Vegas high school, the organization now serves more than 6,000 high school students at 75 or more high schools across the valley.
Project 150 delivers food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, and shoes directly to high schools so students can access them through school staff without stigma. Its main location at 3600 N. Rancho Drive houses "Betty's Boutique," a free clothing store open to high school students with a student ID. A second Betty's Boutique location serves the east valley. Each summer Project 150 also holds an annual Back to School Shopping Event where students can select new, name-brand clothing and supply-filled backpacks at no cost — student ID and proof of enrollment are required, and students can shop once per event period. Address is 3600 N. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130; phone (702) 721-7150. https://www.project150.org/ — The annual shopping event dates and locations are announced in July; check their website. The resource rooms and school delivery program run year-round.
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY)
NPHY runs a drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness at 4981 Shirley Street, Las Vegas, NV 89119;call (702) 383-1332. Open Monday through Saturday, the center provides school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, food, bus passes, medical and dental referrals, case management, and help obtaining IDs and other essential documents. Services are free and confidential. While NPHY primarily serves youth aged 13 to 24, homeless youth of any age in crisis can call for guidance. NPHY can also be reached through any Terrible Herbst gas station location and some City of Las Vegas fire stations. https://nphy.org/.
Community and Faith-Based Organizations
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Catholic Charities operates across Clark County providing emergency assistance, food, clothing, and supplies to families in need regardless of faith background. Services include school supplies and clothing for students. Address: 1501 N. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89101;phone (702) 387-2291. Website: https://www.catholiccharities.com/.
Help of Southern Nevada
Help of Southern Nevada offers a broad range of emergency and self-sufficiency services at its main Clark County center at 1640 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119; phone (702) 369-4357. Educational support and supplies may be available for students from elementary through college age, depending on donations and current programming. Website: https://www.helpsonv.org/ - also see the NHPB guide for further details on Help of Southern NV.
Hope for the City
Based in Henderson, Hope for the City partners with area churches and community organizations to distribute free back-to-school supplies including backpacks, hygiene kits, and shoes. The organization, part of Central Church - Summerlin, has historically served students of all grades, K-12. Address is 1001 New Beginnings Dr., Henderson, NV 89011; phone (702) 735-4004. Contact them directly in July for current-year event details.
Salvation Army — Clark County
The Salvation Army provides school supply assistance each summer through its Clark County locations. Availability varies by location and is subject to donations; applications for the current year's program are typically accepted online and in person during July. Space is limited each year. More information is on our Clark County NV Salvation Army page.
Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada — Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada (2850 Lindell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146; phone (702) 932-1880) has offered school supplies, clothing, food, and hygiene items to low-income families with school-age children. Contact the center directly to confirm current-year school supply availability and any intake requirements.
Specific Populations
The LGBTQIA+ Center of Southern Nevada
The LGBTQIA+ Center's Youth and Family Services program has hosted back-to-school supply events for LGBTQ+ students and their families in Clark County. Services are open to students and their allies. Address is 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101; phone (702) 733-9800. https://thecenterlv.org/ — Contact the Youth and Family Services team for current-year back-to-school event details.
Military Families — Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront's Back-to-School Brigade has held supply events in the Las Vegas area for DEERS-enrolled military dependent children in grades K-12. Eligibility includes active duty, Guard and Reserve, and some transitioning service members. Pre-registration is required and events fill quickly. Website is https://operationhomefront.org/back-to-school-brigade/ — Events are announced in June and July; confirm current-year Las Vegas-area dates on their website.
Municipal Events
City of North Las Vegas
The City of North Las Vegas hosts an annual back-to-school giveaway event in late July, open to all families with school-age children while supplies last. Recent events have been held at the Neighborhood Recreation Center at 1638 N. Bruce Street. Check the City of North Las Vegas website and social media each July for the current year's date and location.
Community Centers — Clark County
Clark County-operated community centers including the Walnut Community Center (3075 N. Walnut Rd., Las Vegas; phone (702) 455-8402) and Pearson Community Center (1625 W. Carey Ave., North Las Vegas; phone (702) 455-1220) have hosted back-to-school events in past years. Programming at these centers varies annually. Contact each center directly in July to ask whether a current-year supply event is planned.
For Teachers — Public Education Foundation Teacher EXCHANGE
The Public Education Foundation operates the Teacher EXCHANGE program in partnership with the Clark County School District, allowing CCSD teachers to access donated school supplies, books, paper, and instructional materials. Supported by the Caesars Foundation, Target, and other corporate partners, the program helps teachers stretch classroom resources without spending out of pocket. Address is 5100 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89146; phone (702) 799-2273. CCSD teachers only. This program is for educators, not students or families.
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